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The Look I Fall for Every Year

I don’t usually let seasonal trends dictate how I wear my makeup. I follow my moods more than anything. Fall, however, is the exception. September/October is my favourite time of the year, and that definitely gets reflected in my beauty choices. There is one timeless fall trend that I go back to year after year. And I’m not exactly sure why that is. It’s as though whatever biological mechanism that tells the Canada goose to fly south also tells me to start reaching for products to create my quintessential fall look. The products change from year to year, but the look remains the same: a bronzy smoky eye and a plum/berry lip. I see this look popping up on beauty blogs and in style magazines every fall, so I know I’m not alone on this one.

Below is a sampling of the products that I’ve been using this fall…

To create the bronze smoky eye, I’ve been loving:

Marc Jacobs Twinkle Pop Eye Stick in the shade “Three Shakes” is the perfect shimmering bronze for fall. It’s a medium-intensity shade that works well for a subtle daytime look. The convenient stick format has made this product a go-to for those mornings when I don’t have the time or am not adequately caffeinated to attempt more technically difficult looks. It’s a long-wearing formula that is nearly bullet proof once it sets. I find it lasts all day without creasing or fading. It’s lovely on its own and also makes a great base for powder shadows if you want a more intense look. If it weren’t for the $35 price tag, I would own more of these.

Also from Marc Jacobs, the Style Eye-Con Palette in “The Starlet” has become a fall staple for me. I make that Homer Simpson drool sound whenever I open this. It’s seven shades of buttery, metallic awesomeness. I love all of the shades, but the three in the middle are the ones I rely on to create my beloved bronze smoky eye. The dark plummy brown (third from the left) goes all over the lid as a base. Then I layer the coppery shade (middle) and the gold shade (third from the right) on top to add colour and dimension. This creates a deeper, more dramatic look for when I’m feeling more adventurous.

Where would I be without these two? My MAC Paint Pots in “Constructivist” and “Quite Natural.” These are workhorse products in my collection. They’re both medium-intensity, warm brown shades that make the perfect base for a bronze smoky eye. Constructivist has some shimmer that really intensifies shimmery metallic powder shadows, while Quite Natural provides a matte alternative. They also look great worn on their own.

And for the berry/plum lip, there are three products that have been in heavy rotation for me this fall. They’re all very similar shade-wise, but I need them all in my life, because they differ in level of intensity.

For a bold, colour-saturated look, there’s Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in “Parisian Passion.” This is a gel-like formula that dries down to a near-matte finish. It’s fairly comfortable to wear (about as comfortable as a long-wearing stain can be). Sometimes I top it off with a bit of lip balm if I want more moisture. This is a bold colour, but you can also dab a small amount on the lips and really blend it in for a more sheer effect. That’s how I like to wear it. (Excuse the scuffed up packaging in the photo. This one has taken many a ride in my purse.)

I rarely pay any attention to Almay. I’m not sure why, but it’s just not a brand that really grabs my attention. I usually walk right past the Almay display in the drug store. A few weeks back, though, I stopped and took a closer look, because the item pictured above caught my eye for two reasons: first, the packaging is very similar to the Revlon Super Lustrous glosses which I adore, and second, the shade is gorgeous. Almay calls this a “liquid lip balm” and I think that’s a good label for it. It looks like a gloss, but it feels very much like a balm. It is similar to the Revlon Super Lustrous glosses, but it’s slightly creamier and more moisturizing. It’s fairly sheer, but you can build it up if you want more intensity. It’s very comfortable to wear, has a light creme brule scent, and even stains the lips a bit so you still have some colour left behind after it has worn off. Love!

And finally, we have the most subtle contender for a fall lip. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in “Plum” is a great option if you’ve gone pretty heavy with your bronze smoky eye and just want a barely-there colour for the lips. As you can see from the swatch, it is very sheer, but it does show up on the lips. (FYI, I like to dab this on over top of the Revlon stain to add moisture.) I can’t say enough good things about the Fresh balms. They smell delicious (like a lemon sugar cookie) and they come in so many great shades. They’re really moisturizing and comfortable to wear. They’re perfect if you want a bit of colour but, like me, generally can’t stand the feel of a full-on lipstick. Keep your eyes peeled at Sephora this holiday season, because Fresh always does awesome holiday gift sets.